Aayla Secura - TVC - Basic (VC58)

Well, Hasbro has done it again. They’ve gone beyond the call of duty. The Vintage Collection’s Aayla Secura (VC58) figure is a figure that they’ve completely knocked out of the park. Pretty much flawless in every sense of the word, Aayla Secura has never looked better in the basic figure line. There is essentially nothing to complain about here. Every last detail couldn’t have been attacked better. For example, Hasbro has finally nailed the color of her skin which has been the longest running complaint by collectors. But you should know that the improvements haven’t ended there. Aayla has a perfected scale to the other action figures in the line and she has a gorgeous head sculpt that puts the one given to 2005’s ROTS Aayla Secura (III 32) figure to absolute shame. The new Aayla Secura is feminine and has noticeably curvy hips (without looking exaggerated) and delicate, yet athletic arms and legs. The 2005 ROTS figure looked chubby in some spots sadly. With just a few exceptions, Aayla Secura is mostly comprised of ball-jointed articulation and it’s these excellent points of articulation that are so effortlessly and seamlessly worked into the sculpt that they don’t stick out as awkward or obtrusive at all. This is quite an accomplishment. We couldn’t be happier with this action figure. Every last detail from head to toe is stunning. In fact, we clearly remember how we felt when we opened up 2011’s TVC Kit Fisto (VC29) figure and we feel just about the same exact way for Aayla Secura. We waited a longtime to see this sexy Twi’lek Jedi updated in super-articulated glory. Now that she’s finally available (after that long wait AND then an unfortunate delay on top of it) we have to say that she has been totally worth it all. And frankly we cannot control gushing over this wonderful action figure.

Aayla Secura is beautifully colored and wonderfully articulated. We will say this again and again. Every last detail of her outfit was exactly matched to be as screen accurate as possible up to and including the strings that hang down from her pants to the loincloth covering the front of them. Many of the details of the costume’s color were inaccurate on the 2005 Revenge Of The Sith version. But that’s all been updated and corrected, and she hasn’t looked better than she does now. This incredible action figure shines in other ways too. For example, everything from the sculpt of her head (which boasts one of the best 3.75” likeness we’ve come across to date) to her lean and attractive body is expertly rendered. Nothing looks out of proportion and it’s evident the sculptors were committed to making the absolute best Aayla Secura action figure they could. (They’ve succeeded beyond our expectations.) The real bonus in her body sculpt is the incorporation of a ball-jointed torso. This point of articulation technically gives unlimited movement and aides the figure in attaining the most believable poses. This especially helps when you want her to wield around her lightsaber. Plus, it mimics natural body movement so well and helps bring this action figure to life. We aren’t necessarily crazy with the sculpt of her left hand. She is motioning her fingers in a way that is too reminiscent of what we have all seen Obi-Wan Kenobi do. This is a good enough reason to state the case why at least one pair of neutral alternate hands is so necessary in the basic figure line. We’re not looking for unlimited hand attachments; after all, Sideshow Collectibles tortures us with all of the hand attachments they give their 1:6 Scale Figures, but if Hasbro did choose to include a hand gesture that is very scene specific (or awkward for other poses), then a generic alternate hand attachment is really needed (and much appreciated).

The beauty about so many of the Jedi in the Prequel Trilogy is that, with a few exceptions, they look the “same” throughout Episode I, Episode II and Episode III. This isn’t really a rule of thumb, but more a generalized statement. Aayla Secura thankfully is identical in appearance from Episode II to Episode III, so this action figure, while on a Revenge Of The Sith card back, will serve both purposes for your collection. It has always been our wish for The Vintage Collection that Hasbro put characters on card backs of their original appearance in the Star Wars saga. And if they experience an outfit change that is specific to another film, then that character should have a subtitle noting its outfit change and the appropriate film placement for the card back. In other words, it would have been sublime to see Aayla Secura on an Attack Of The Clones card back, even though the Revenge Of The Sith card back is completely accurate (and beautiful with the Felucia backdrop by the way). Even Aayla Secura’s historical reference shows the Attack Of The Clones era version of the action figure. If this figure was meant to be the Revenge Of The Sith update to this character, then maybe Hasbro should had used the 2005 Revenge Of The Sith figure as the historical reference. This is just one of those “type A” personality stumbling blocks we have issues reconciling in our minds. In all honesty, it really doesn’t matter if Aayla Secura comes on an Attack Of The Clones card or a Revenge Of The Sith card. She is unequivocally the definitive modern update to all previous versions. Unless a new advancement in technology can make this figure better than it already is, we just don’t see that happening otherwise. Aayla Secura is a must-have for your collection. Avoiding buying her is only hurting yourself. Enjoy one of the great gifts Hasbro has made for us…. And take it all in and revel in it.